Jackman Funeral Service was established nearly 80 years ago when Gerald E. Jackman Jr. (pictured above) decided he wanted to become a funeral director. Along with his wife Mary Jackman, a nurse at the Whitin Machine works in Whitinsville, Gerald opened the families first facility also located in Whitinsville.
In 1949 at the young age of 49, Gerald passed away leaving his wife Mary and their two sons Gerald III and Joseph. It was at that time Gerald III came home and worked in the families business. Before too long he was drafted in the armed forces and went to serve during the Korean War. Mary was left with her son Joseph who was not old enough to take over for his brother. She would have to run the families business herself. And, that she did. Thanks to other local funeral homes helping out when Mary needed help, she was able to keep Jackman Funeral Service up and running.
When Gerald returned home from the war, he came to once again run the family business, eventually his younger brother Joseph joined him. Their mother Mary, also remained active in the operation for many years.
In 1962 the family decided to buy out a long-time existing family funeral home in Douglas, MA, which became the families second facility. It also became the home where Gerald lived with his wife and raised thier four children. By that time Joseph had joined his brother as a partner in the family business. Ten years later in 1972 the family had decided to buy out the Tancrell Funeral Home in Uxbridge, MA making it their third facility and the home where Joseph would live with his wife and raise their two children.
Gerald himself became ill and his son Gerald IV became a funeral director and stepped in to take his fathers place when he died in 1994 at the age of 62. Now, Joseph and his nephew Gerry would carry on the family business. In the years to come Gerry's sister Kathy and Joe's daughter Abbie would make their way into the business as well, once again adding that feminine presence like their grandmother before them.
Soon Joseph also, became ill and died in 2004 at the age of 62. Gerry would now have to take the reins and guide the family business. Shortly after her fathers passing, Abbie became a funeral director and is able to absorb some of the responsibility of the family business.
Gerry, Abbie and Kathy have become the third but, absolutly not the last Jackman generation to be commited to our community, the families we serve and the caring, respectful manner in which our families deserve.
|
|
